2. Artifact #1
• This is displayed in
the classrooms as a
daily reminder of
the expectation
from everyone
involved in the
student’s
education. Some
displayed them on
a bulletin board or
on the white board
in the front of the
classroom.
2012-2013
KMS Student-Parent-Teacher-School
COMPACT
Student responsibilities:
attend school regularly, prepared with my completed homework and supplies
always try to be on my best behavior and abide by the mandatory dress code
work cooperatively with adults and classmates
show respect for myself, my parents, my school, my teacher, my classmates and other school personnel
obey the school and the bus rules
take pride in my school
help keep my school safe
take home notices and information received from school
read 15 to 30 minutes daily outside of school
believe that I can learn, will learn and will welcome future challenges
abide by the KMS pillars of success: academics, responsibility and self control
Parent responsibilities:
see that my child attends school regularly , on time, and in dress code daily.
provide a home environment that encourages my child to learn and accept new challenges
see that all homework assignments are completed and turned in on time
communicate regularly with my child’s teachers
support the school in developing positive behaviors by reinforcing the Code of Conduct
talk with my child everyday about what they learned at school and upcoming events
see that my child reads at home and makes positive use of extracurricular time
monitor all forms of media usage (i.e. TV, DVDs, CDs, internet, video games etc…)
volunteer time at my child’s school when possible
show respect and support for my child, the teacher and the school
read notices and information my child brings home from school
Teacher responsibilities:
believe that each student can learn and challenge each daily
show respect for each student and the student’s family
provide an environment conducive to learning and risk-taking
help each student grow to their fullest potential
provide meaningful and appropriate homework activities
enforce school and classroom rules fairly and consistently
maintain open lines of communication with the student’s family
seek ways to involve parents in the school program
demonstrate professional behavior and a positive attitude
follow the Positive Behavior Support Program
School staff responsibilities:
provide a safe school environment that encourages positive student behavior
show respect for students, parents and all school personnel
provide an environment that allows for positive and professional communication between the teacher,
parent and student
provide opportunities for all school staff to participate with parents and students at school functions
provide a challenging learning environment which encourages risk-taking
The School District of Osceola County, Florida
3. Artifact #2
This is the classroom expectations from Mrs. Nieves’ classroom . She has them
posted near the white board at the front of the room visible for all her students. She
states,
“Students know what the expectations are for my class and they understand that
when the follow them ,it provides for a better learning environment.”
Mrs. Nieves’ 6th
Grade Science Class
Class Expectation
Come prepared and on time for class
Respect other people and their property
Follow directions
Ensure that your work is just that, your work
NO Gum
Follow dress code at all times
4. Artifact #3
This is the school
newsletter
named the
JAGROAR. This
informs students
and parents of
upcoming
important dates
and events
regarding school
and title 1 news.
5. Lesson Plan
This is the lesson
plan format that
Kissimmee
Middle School
teachers are to
use . This is one
that was used by
the teacher I
observed. (Mrs.
Nieves)The
teachers are to
submit these
lesson plans
weekly.
7. Students At Work
The picture on the left represents
students working in their centers for
reading. They work on an online
program called TEENBIZ where they
are scored on their reading
comprehension based on the articles
that they read.
Students pictured
on the right are
working on the
end of year project
for science. They
are to create a
power point on
their experience
on dissecting
frogs.
8. Bulletin boards
The bulletin board on the
top is displayed in the
Library of the school
encouraging students to
be active readers. The
bulletin board on the
bottom is displayed in
one of the classrooms as
a reminder to students on
the JAGUARS
expectations (acronym for
school mascot)
Jaguars Achieve
Greatness Using
Academics Responsibility
and Self-control.
9. Purpose: To assist future teachers with gaining greater understanding and insight into teaching at public schools.
What is your philosophy of teaching?
As a science teacher of 16 years it is to get students to think about science as a process & individualize students’
learning experiences.
What effective classroom management strategies do you utilize with your students?
When I have new students I make sure that I have setup clear classroom guidelines /expectations. I do work with them
for the first/ second month of the school year. I also strongly believe that it is important to have good communication
with the parent or guardian in order to let the student know that if the expectations are not followed that there will be
consequences given for not abiding by these rules.
What forms of accommodations do you make to respect cultural/faith diversity, exceptionalities, and language
differences in your students?
When I am made aware of certain accommodations I make sure that I provide the student with what they need. For
example, If I have an ESOL student I make sure they have a native language dictionary for those who are ESE I make
sure I’m aware of the extended time for test and assignments as stated in their IEP. I also use positive reinforcement,
proximity control and peer support.
What forms of technology do you use with your students in the classroom to enhance your teaching and your
students learning?
I use different types of technology such as the Senteo for answering responses to quizzes. I also use Safari Montage,
Smart Exchange, Kids Health and Study Jams through the SMART board.
What advice do you have for future teachers?
This is my advice: To always enjoy teaching and always put more than a 100% effort on what you are doing with your
students. Teaching is definitely not for everyone, but for me it is the only way to sustain a purposeful life.
Teacher Interview
Mrs. Nieves- 6th grade science
Kissimmee Middle School
11. The field observation that I conducted was a great experience for me it really gave me more insight on the teaching
profession and some of the things that are involved in teaching. I was able to observe at Kissimmee Middle School and I
did observe several teachers in different grade levels ranging from grades sixth through eighth. I was very lucky to have
encountered a tremendous staff that was very helpful through the whole process. I was able to observe and ask questions
and I felt very “at home”. Several teachers ranging from 25 years of teaching experience to those in their first year gave
me great advice on my future teaching career.
(https://www.teachingchannel.org/)
I had the opportunity and pleasure of observing Mrs. Carmen Nieves. She has a well-run classroom which I would think
has the criteria of Richard Curwin as referenced on pg. 362. Her beliefs for positive reinforcement are similar in that she
agrees it will raise student’s success. And keep them on track. The lesson for the week involved learning about human
organs and part. They are encouraged to use graphic organizers which I believe to be a factor of Bloom’s taxonomy. The
graphic organizers are very creative and help students to illustrate certain things write notes covered in the lesson. This
particular week they were working on organs and getting ready to prepare for frog dissection! Students were also taken
to the library to come up with ideas on a PowerPoint project on their experience on the upcoming frog dissection.
Field Observation Essay
12. This experience as I stated above, was a wonderful experience. There are so many ideas that just by observing came to
my attention. I observed which teaching style I prefer and the ideas on how the lessons were thought out or how the
curriculum is set out but also in the classroom management approaches. Mrs. Nieves shared that discipline on some days
can affect the day’s lesson and though she has the day pretty much planned out, there is always the unexpected.
Some of the multiple intelligences strategies that I observed as those stated on page 39 in the text were again the graphic
organizers for the kinesthetic learner which would give the students the opportunity to draw. She also presented a video
from Fun Brain (http://www.funbrain.com/) on different parts of the body and their organs for the spatial learners to be
able to form a “mental model”. She would eventually reach the naturalist whenever they dissect the frogs
The deficit theory comes into play at KMS (pg. 67). Mrs. Nieves stated that many of the students who attend here come
from low socioeconomic environment. They are a school with low ratings, many of these children are ESE and they have
many students who are ELL or ESOL. They come from homes where on parent is the picture or those that in the custody
of another individual. There is a great disadvantage of the amount of children who do not read fluently, or that have a
language barrier. She does speak Spanish to those who speak only Spanish and tries really hard to encourage them to
follow along as best they can.
13. Her teaching philosophy would be similar to direct teaching. ( one of the characteristics of direct teaching as stated on
page 376) She has a very structured class and she has her day planned with an agenda. She explains to students what they
will be working on for that day and she follows step by step. Students work on notes reflective of the notes that she
provides for them to copy from, she lectures using the Smart board and presents certain slide and elaborates on each slide.
I have a friend who is a second year teacher and she is the schools speech pathologist. She is now attending graduate
school and she encourages me every day to keep pushing forward. She always tells me that is my heart is in I have to love
what I do. She told me that her mentor gives her advice on different strategies and since she deals with ESE students she
explains that there is a lot of work and laws that one working in special education has to do. I believe it is important for
teachers to have a mentor. There is always something to be learned in the field of education and having a mentor no
matter how long that person has been teaching there is always someone who can give ideas.
Mrs. Nieves was a great example of how I would like to run my classroom. I believe that she is an effective teacher as she
tries to incorporate different strategies and she seems to always change up the activities that they do from day to day to
keep the students engaged in the lesson,
14. I would place Mrs. Nieves at the maturity level. She has been teaching for over 16 years and though she has been in
teaching for those years she seems to adjust to new things that happens within science. She stated that she constantly has
to attend workshops and conferences to be aware of the things that change. She appears to be confident in the way she
manages her class and has everything well thought out and planned. (http://www.goedonline.com/elementary )
I have a better understanding of what teachers go through day to day and all the work that is involved and I am convinced
now more than ever that teaching is my calling.
